All Blacks rookie recommits to New Zealand Rugby and Hurricanes beyond 2027 Rugby World Cup
All Blacks utility back Ruben Love.
The Hurricanes have announced that highly rated utility back Ruben Love has recommitted to his club and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) after agreeing terms on a contract extension.
The 23-year-old initially caught the eye in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship in 2020 and has been a regular member of the Hurricanes squad since making his Super Rugby debut against the Highlanders in 2021.
Committed beyond 2027 Rugby World Cup
Love‘s new deal means he will be committed to the Wellington-based franchise and NZR beyond the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia through to the end of 2028.
The former Palmerston North Boys’ High School student represented New Zealand at age-group level in rugby and cricket and has plenty of confidence and natural ability.
Although the former Maori All Blacks representative can play in numerous backline positions, Love has settled at full-back in recent seasons.
He is renowned as a relentless trainer and his dedication to his sport was rewarded on the All Blacks‘ end-of-year tour in 2024 when he made his Test debut against Japan in Yokohama.
Love came off the replacements bench in that encounter and celebrated the occasion by crossing for two tries as the All Blacks clinched a 64-19 victory.
He missed the opening rounds of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign after having ankle surgery in December but made a try-scoring return for the Hurricanes this past weekend in their 40-31 defeat to Moana Pasifika in Auckland.
Love is looking forward to furthering his career with the Hurricanes.
‘I have great love for this team’
“I’m very honoured to re-sign my contract with this club,” he said. “I have great love for this team, and it is truly an honour to represent my people and play on the land where I grew up.”
Meanwhile, Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw is delighted that Love has opted to stay with the club after they warded off Super Rugby Pacific rivals to retain the versatile player’s services.
“Super excited to have Ruben Love resigning with us. He’s an example of local talent, through school and then onto Wellington Rugby,” he said.
“He had a tricky start at the beginning of his professional career with injuries but as we saw last year, when has a run at games he has great quality in his performance.
“He is everything we want in a Hurricane, an unbelievable professional and sets a high standard for himself and others around him.”
